London – If their safety and the safety of others isn’t enough, London drivers have another good reason to pay attention and obey the rules of the road: it calls itself ‘Cycling Mickey’. Armed with GoPro and police contacts, he’s not worried about making any friends on the roads of the British capital.
Originally from the Netherlands, Mike van Erp has taken it upon himself to make London’s roads safer by filming drivers breaking the law, usually by handling cellphones, with the camera attached to his helmet as he cycles to and from work. He then turned over his videos to the police for use as evidence.
He estimated to CBS News that he reported about 1,100 people over the past five years, with more than 800 successfully prosecuted for driving violations.
“My maximum shot was 16 an hour, and then I refused to look at anyone else because I wouldn’t have any more time to live my life,” Van Erp said, emphasizing that he’s not doing it for fun: “I don’t want to do this. It’s just part of a civic duty.”
CBS News
Using his cameras, he records suspected illegal behavior (pretty much any hands-free phone use by a driver on UK roads is illegal) and vehicle license plates to enable the police to prosecute drivers.
“I don’t think I’m a vigilante at all,” he said. “I collect the evidence, and then I let the police and justice system handle it.”
Once the courts have made their decision, Van Erp uploads his clips to his YouTube channel in what he says is an effort to spread awareness and discourage others from making the same mistakes.
It’s a very personal mission. When Van Erp was nineteen, his father was killed in an accident caused by a drunk driver. He said his father’s memory fuels his efforts to make London’s roads safer for his children – even in the face of regular threats and verbal abuse from drivers.
“I mostly remember the good times, but it still adds a little discipline and solidity to what I do,” he told CBS News, adding that he finds crossing the road with his kids “very scary sometimes. It’s them.”
